100 Years Ago This Month

November 1924

November 7

Presidential Election Results

The election returns commenced coming in, in small installments, as early as 7:30, and from the outset, the indications were favorable to the Republicans, the latter returns merely adding to majorities. New York, Illinois, and Ohio were soon added to the Coolidge column, while the vote in Baltimore precincts indicated that the state would be Republican.

The far western states were necessarily later with their figures, but the trend a public sentiment was the same there as in the East, and by midnight, conceding of the election of Coolidge by Democrats was general from New York to Chicago.

Coolidge received 279 electoral votes, John Davis, 139, and Robert La Follette claimed Wisconsin’s, his home state’s 13.

North Dakota and New Mexico are still in the doubtful classes, owing to the closeness of the vote, but are likely to land in the Republican column.

Davis, a compromise candidate, triumphed on the 103rd ballot at the Democratic National Convention after a deadlock between supporters of William McAdoo and Al Smith.

President Coolidge made a practical demonstration of his inclination towards economy, by mailing the votes of himself and his wife back to Massachusetts. This appears to us to be a very sensible law for all states – voting by mail.

The Ku Klux Klan may have had some influence on the results, but it seems to have been largely confined to a few states. There was also a conspicuous absence of organized labor mass voting, unless it was located in La Follette stongholds.

Rather contrary to most expectation, the La Follette vote appears to have been made up of more Democrats than Republican votes. An outstanding fact in the returns is, that Mr. Davis lost his home state, West Virginia, and his vice-presidential partner Charles Byron lost his home state of Nebraska, both by an un-mistakable plurality.

The total popular vote as given in the papers on Thursday, were: Coolidge - 15,224,688, Davis – 7,796,784, and La Follette’s Progressive Party - 4,413,508.

The vote in the Taneytown District was 893, out of 1,055 registered, A shortage of 202 partially due to illness, and to some being too far from home to vote; but there must have been over 100 who where not interested enough to make the effort. There was never finer weather for Election Day, then that on Tuesday. Whatever excuses there may have been for not voting, they were not due to disagreeable weather.

Republicans will have a clear working majority in the House, the standing being Republicans - 246, Democrats - 183, independents - 6.

Mr. Davis issued the following statement, after sending President Coolidge a telegram of congratulations:

"The results of the election speak for themselves, and the decisive character renders a comment or explanation unnecessary. I accept the outcome without any vain, regret or bitterness, and it is my earnest, hope that the administration of President Coolidge may prove successful and beneficial to our country.

"So far as I am personally concerned, I am not shaken in my faith in the principles and ideals, professed by the Democratic Party. They will never lack defenders. To those who supported me so loyally throughout the campaign I am more grateful than I can say, and I am glad to march with those towards the inevitable triumph of the principles in which we believe. Greater than any transient success, is the virtue of our common country; and to this is the duty and privilege of every citizen to contribute, whether in office or out of it."

The first election statement made by President Coolidge is as follows:

"It does not seem possible to me, to make an adequate expression concerning the Presidency of the United States. No other honor equals it, no other responsibility approaches it. When it is conferred by an overwhelming choice of the people and the vote of the Electoral College, these are made all the greater.

"I can only express my simple thanks to all those who have contributed to this result, and plainly acknowledge that it has been brought to pass through works of a divine providence, of which I am but one instrument.

"Such powers as I have I dedicate to the service of all my country, and of all my countrymen. In this performance of the duties of my office, I could not ask for anything more than the sympathetic considerations that my fellow Americans have always bestowed upon me.

"I have no other appeal except to the common sense of all the people. I have no pledge, except to serve them, have no object except to promote the general welfare of all Americans."

Coolidge enthusiast in Emmitsburg, Thurmont, Taneytown, Woodsboro and Walkersville took to the streets on Wednesday morning and paraded through the towns with drums and horns, as well as raising some noisy vocal efforts.

Local Broadcasting Of Election By Telephone A Failure

We regret that our efforts to broadcast radio election returns to homes by phone, on Tuesday night, was largely a failure. Between Friday night and Sunday afternoon last, something happened to the internals of our radio that materially reduce the volume of sound. To correct it we made a trip to a radio specialist in Gettysburg on Monday who failed to locate the troubles. The wiring was gone over, on Tuesday, but reception still continued below par. It was sufficient for those who gathered in our pressroom, but was not strong enough to carry to phone subscribers.

In talking to other owners of radios, we learned that our experiment was not very different from others. There was such a commotion on the ether caused by the activity of every broadcasting station in the country, and almost every individual radio station was adding its own little part to cause interference, that it is a wonder that reception was as clear as it was.

During the night we made use of 20 or more strong stations from Boston to Chicago, using the one which at the time was strongest, and out of the lot we had the best results from Chicago, Cleveland, Schenectady, Springfield, and Pittsburgh.

On the whole, it was a wonderful experience, and demonstration of radio. Every station had special attractions that were sandwiched in with the election returns – music of every description, vocal and instrumental, humorous sketches, and all sorts of announcement, comments, and at times three or four stations would come through on the same tuning at the same time.

Woodsboro Halloween Dance Marred By Fight Over Girl

A dance held at Lumber Camp, in the vicinity of Woodsboro, was the cause of the Sheriff and Deputies Crum and Radcliffe being called out about 9:30 when Paul Bowers and Herbert Potts got into a fight over a girl, it was said. It ended in Bowers being pushed off a porch in the rear of the building where the dance was being held. He fell about 12 feet, but sustained no injuries from the fall due to his ‘lubricated’ condition.

Following this episode, the Sheriff was sent for, but before he arrived, Bowers and Potts had departed. Sheriff Allbaugh and Deputy Crum then returned to Frederick, but Deputy Radcliffe located Bowers and placed him under arrest charge with disturbing the peace and for driving a car while under the influence of liquor.

Nov 14

Man Pays Election Wager

"I’ll walk to Baltimore if Davis loses." Thus spoke Harry Evans, keeper of a general merchandise store, in Woodsboro, a few days before the election. So he got his walking orders from the voters a week ago, and yesterday he carried out the promise by covering the 24 miles from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Albert Spencer, also of Woodsboro, agreed to walk if Coolidge was voted out of the White House. Spencer, just to enjoy his triumph the more, made the trip as official observer of Evans’ hike.

The pedestrian had a lively gallery, and he did not stand a chance of getting lonesome. There was plenty of laughing, and Evans himself kept cheerful right to the end.

When he reached the city line his friends gave him a cheer that showed they were proud of his triumph as a hiker. He wasted no time and catching a ride home with Spencer.

Farmer Held In Liquor Case

William Oyter, of Emmitsburg, is being held on $3,000 bail on a charge of conspiracy against the government to defeat the National Prohibition Law. He was arrested by Deputy Marshals on his farm, where a 150 gallon still was found in a tenant house which he had rented to George Cramer of Woodsboro.

Oyter was charged after receipts, bearing his signature for rent was found on Cramer. The receipt showed that the man paid Oyter and extravagant rental for a small building, and other information, which the officers would not reveal, but which is claimed, will implicate Oyter on the charges.

If convicted, Oyter could serve up to 10 years imprisonment, or a $10,000 fine, or both, at the discretion of the court.

Women Of Keymar Put Out Fire

Last Saturday evening there was quite an excitement in Keymar among the ladies. West Marion was cleaning up around his home burning the leaves, and thought he put the fire out.

At 10 o’clock at night the fire began to blaze up, and some of the ladies, gossiping over the party line, saw the fire, and called other ladies, and they took their little gallon buckets and carried water and put the fire out. All were glad that the fire company did not have to come, as the ladies with their little gallon buckets did the work.

Nov 21

The Coldest November 17

Monday morning was the coldest on record. The temperatures in the County were from 10 to 12E and in the mountains it was below zero. Snowfall was partially general on Saturday and Sunday, the cold wave developing on Sunday night.

Machine Stolen In Walkersville

A Ford roadster, belonging to George Eyler of Walkersville, was stolen from in front of his home early Thursday morning and is being sought by local State Police, who were notified of its loss.

All registration and identification cards were in the machine at the time it was stolen. But the police were handicapped, as the owner did not know the number of his tags.

The car was left in front of the Eyler’s home early in the evening, but had disappeared when the owner went for it about 9 o’clock. No one was seen driving it away, but it is thought that some local person took the car, and that it will be found soon, as a number of other cars have been recently.

The car was practically new, having been purchased in March, and was in good condition. Nearby towns have been notified of the theft. No clues as to the identity of the person who took the car have been found.

Warning To Auto Owners

The County Health Department sent out a timely warning to owners of automobiles against the increased danger in cold weather of death from carbon monoxide poisoning. It refers to a recent death of a prominent Baltimore man found in his garage with the engine of his automobile still running. With the advent of cold weather, such accidents will probably increase in frequency.

Test have been made by the U.S. Public Health Service showing that a small 23 Horse Power engine in warming up will give off enough poisonous gas to contaminate the air of a small closed garage 10‘ x 20‘ to the danger point in about three minutes. Carbon monoxide is colorless, tasteless and almost odorless. Its affect is paralysis of the respiratory apparatus, and it is so instantaneous that even though the victim may become aware of his danger, he is often unable to escape because of loss of motion power.

The bulletin warns every person who runs an engine in a small garage to see to it at the room is properly ventilated. Windows and doors should be open if the motor is permitted to run for even a few minutes.

Christmas Seals Sales Start November 27

The 17th annual sale of Tuberculosis Christmas Seals will open on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, in all the counties of the state. Each County organization has perfected its plans for conducting what is hope to be the most successful Tuberculosis Seal sale ever held.

Last summer, 155 malnourished children from across Maryland were cared for at the "Miracle House." It is hope that many more children will have the opportunity to attend next summer.

The Maryland Tuberculosis Association holds clinics throughout the state in cooperation with health authorities and physicians. These clinics are rendering a distinct service to the people of Maryland who are unable to pay for a consultant’s examination. Known cases of tuberculosis, suspected, and contacts are examined when referred to by physicians for diagnosis, resulting in a number of early cases being subsequently recommended for sanitarium treatment. Families are advised as to the proper home care measures in general, which result in their protection and the public’s protection.

So all are urge to lend their aid in this work of saving human lives by buying as many Tuberculosis Seals as possible. When you purchase these Seals you actually help to eradicate and prevent a scourge.

The Future Of The Ku Klux Klan

Unless our predictions are widely at fault, we will see the end of the Ku Klux Klan as a political factor, as well as a big fraternity, in the near future. The United States is a vast country, and peopled with all of the races and conditions of mankind in the world, consequently, it is probable that the Ku Klux Klan and its propaganda will continue to exist in favorable localities, but not as a power to be reckoned with nationally.

it does not, to the best of our information, have any good planks in its principles that are not already duplicated in many fraternities. It cannot exist on these and should not exist on most of the other’s commonly attributed to it; and we believe that it used its power during the past year, somewhat effectively, simply because political leaders are always nervous over the voting power of large organize units.

With the passing of this big opportunity, courage will come to its opponents who fear to exercise during a presidential campaign. It is too soon, as yet, to figure on the exact influence of the order on the vote in the various states and whether its support was an asset, or liability, but this will develop in good time.

Frank Wilson Dies

Frank Wilson died at his home in Union Bridge on Thursday of hard trouble. He had been to Baltimore on business and also attended the races. He returned to his home, apparently in the best of health. He was stricken about 10 minutes after he was home and death was instantaneous.

He was one of the best-known business men in Union Bridge. For years he conducted an ice cream business, and a small grocery store on the corner of Broadway and Main Street, until recently when he retired. He was manager of the Union Bridge Baseball Club, and was a great admire of sports. He was about 60 years of age.

Nov 28

Escape Bootlegger Caught

Henry Hewitt, 32, of Creagerstown, who on October 9 was sentence to the House of Corrections for six months on a charge of selling liquor, and escaped on October 26, was captured November 24 by Pennsylvania State Troopers. He was held in the Franklin County jail until Tuesday when the Maryland authorities took him back.

Hewitt was sentence on one of four charges against him at the last term of the court. The remaining three charges were put on hold dependent upon his good behavior, but will now be reinstated as a result of his attempt to escape from the state prison.

Only 17 days of his sentence had lapsed when, while working on a road crew near the prison, he succeeded in invading the guards and disappeared. Nothing was heard of him until we appeared near Glen Burney.

A man named Patterson, who was with him when Hewitt was arrested in the Pennsylvania town, is being held by the Franklin County authorities under $500 bond for interfering with the officers in making the arrest, and for harboring escaped prisoner.

An officer at the Maryland House of Corrections stated that Hewitt’s term will be increased to nine months. He also stated that Hewitt was picked up along the Maryland Road in an automobile driven by Patterson‘s daughter. Officers arrested Hewitt at the Patterson’s home.

About The Christmas Greens

With the Christmas season near at hand, the householder and storekeeper are beginning to think of decorations for the holidays. It is, of course, the easiest thing in the world to go out and collect greens. In doing so, do people realize that they are going into someone’s woods, or fields, and helping themselves to something that does not belong to them? The owner of the property may want the trees or shrubs for the beauty they afford, or they may want to use them themselves, at any rate, they are property and have real value.

According to Maryland law, it is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $25 or 90 days imprisonment, or both, for anyone to remove, injure, or destroy any tree or shrubs from the lands of another, without the written consent or personal direction of the owner.

All persons with power to arrest have been notified to be on the lookout for violators.

Accidents & Deaths

On Tuesday afternoon, William Fair, employed with Raymond Ohler in placing a metal roof on Albert Ohler’s barn, met with a narrow escape from serious injury, or perhaps death. He was engaged in seeming the sheets of metal, when the ladder on which he was working became unfastened and slid down the roof. William grabbed a upstanding seam, and partially broke his fall, but slid off the house roof to a porch roof, and from there to the concrete walk. No bones are broken, but it was a close call.

George Stavely, age 63, was severely injured when he fell headfirst from a barn on which he was working last Saturday, at the home of Mrs. James Kelly. In the fall Mr. Stavely struck a nail protruding from an upright, which cut a gash on his forehead and nearly tore his nose from his face. Deep gashes were also cut on his forehead, lips and chin.

Stavely was given first aid by Dr. Crouse, after which he was rushed to the Gettysburg hospital, where physicians and nurses said Mr. Stavely’s injuries were the most unusual they have ever seen. Although it will be several days before it will be definitively, known whether the operation of sewing together the torn edges of his nose is successful, it is believe that the nose can be saved, and that he will not be disfigured permanently. Mr. Stavely has been employed as a carpenter for many years and this is his first serious accident. He was brought home last Saturday evening, and at this writing is getting along as good as can be expected.

John Hogland, of New Midway, met with a serious mishap last Saturday while engage in some electrical work. 11,000 Volts passed through his body, his right hand being badly burned, and the current pass through both feet. He fell about 5 feet on his head, but fortunately, there was no serious results from the fall. Due to the fact that he was standing on iron, a complete circuit was not made, which saved him from instant death.